RSPCA NSW's Living Ruff program helps homeless people look after their pets. As you can imagine, Christmas can be a tough time for these people, however last year we were able to make their lives a little easier, with help from Suncorp.Through the Exodus soup kitchen, we were able to hand out around 100 dog and cat care packs which included items such as food, flea and worming
treatment, toys, treats, brushes. Many of the items for the packs were donated through Suncorp's Operation Santa; the company set up a Christmas tree in their Kent Street foyer as a collection point.The bond between homeless people and their pets is extremely strong - often they only have each other - and thanks to the generosity of Suncorp staff, we were able to give them both an extra dose of Christmas cheer.

Thursday, January 30, 2014

The RSPCA Kids Sumatra Jungle
Challenge in September 2014 is a two-part learning adventure of a lifetime in one of the
last tropical wilderness areas on earth.

You’ll trek for three days into pristine rainforest on the
Indonesian island of Sumatra, camping, exploring the jungle and communing with
endangered orang-utans. Then, spend three days in an eco-village homestay,
where you’ll meet local children and learn the basics of organic farming and
tree planting.

You and your kids will experience the opportunity of a lifetime, and at the same time develop an appreciation of the special role animals play in our lives.But perhaps the best part is that the funds you raise to join the trek will go towards RSPCA NSW to ensure we can continue our vital work protecting and improving the lives of animals in Australia.Contact Inspired Adventures to find out more: 1300 905 188 or info@inspiredadventures.com.au

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Parvovirus is a deadly disease that can be easily combated through vaccinations. However for some people, the cost of those vaccinations are simply out of reach. Throughout 2013, RSPCA NSW offered either free or subsidised vaccinations to pensioners and low income earners in the Hunter region, an area where parvo is especially prevalent. Almost all of the dogs we saw over the year either had never had a vaccine or had only had one of the three puppy vaccines. We also opened our doors to local rescue groups for free vaccinations.

Since our efforts Disease Watchdog (an independent body that monitors vet cases) has reported that parvo cases in
Muswellbrook have been significantly lower in comparison to the previous year.With Virbac's support, we were able to vaccinate over 700 dogs who would otherwise have not been given protection against the deadly parvovirus. Virbac donated over $30,000 worth of flea treatment and parvo vaccines, which were used for our drive in the Hunter, and also in our Sydney and Broken Hill clinics. Thanks Virbac!

Friday, January 24, 2014

In a few hours we will be enjoying the Australia Day long weekend - a great opportunity to appreciate our wonderful country and catch up with friends. Many of us will include our dog in our activities; after all, they are part of the family.Unfortunately a few people will think it is OK to leave their dog in the car, especially if it's in the shade or if they leave the windows down. But it is never safe to leave your dog in the car. Last year alone RSPCA NSW Inspectors had to rescue well over 70 animals, mostly dogs, that were suffering from heat stress in a car.
A recent study found that the temperature inside a car can rise to dangerous levels in a very short period. Temperatures as high as 75 C were recorded inside the vehicle when the air temperature outside was only 34 C. The colour of the car, the tint on the windows, whether or not it had a sunshade and even leaving the windows open did not reduce the cabin temperature by a significant amount, nor did parking it in the shade.

In fact your dog may start to show signs of heat stress after only six minutes after being left in the car. As the minutes tick by, the risk of fatal injury increases. Dogs die in hot cars.

So before you head out to enjoy this long weekend, please take the pledge to never leave your dog unattended in a car. Visit www.justsixminutes.com.au to learn just how fast your dog will start to suffer in a hot car and pledge to protect your pet. Please share the link with your friends.

If you see a dog suffering in a hot car, call the RSPCA on 1300 CRUELTY (1300 278 3589) immediately. You could save a life of someone's best mate.

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Towards the end of last year a group from
Investec created a visual illusion at our Sydney Shelter.

Keen to
get their hands dirty and with paint brushes and rollers in hand, the 11 Corporate Support Day participants painted the doors of 15 kennels in our
small dog rows. The end result? Well, see for yourself. Painting the
doors black means the dogs can be seen more easily by prospective adopters!

Thanks Investec. We hope to see you again soon at another Corporate Support Day.

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

A man pleaded guilty to one charge of animal cruelty relating to a pig at the Hawkesbury Valley Meat processing plant when he appeared in Mt Druitt Local Court last week.

On 16 January 2012, the man was videoed via closed circuit camera in his duties as a slaughterman at Hawkesbury Valley Meat Processors. One of the animals, upon reaching the man's station, regained consciousness after stunning. The man is then seen to pick up a piece of pipe from a hand basin behind him.

He is then videoed repeatedly hitting the animal on the head on approximately nineteen occasions. On a number of these occasions the man is seen to look away from the pig to other employees.

On 10 February 2012, after video of the processing facility was made public, RSPCA Inspectors attended the premises in cooperation with the NSW Food Authority. The metal pipe viewed in the footage was located and seized and instructions issued regarding the care and well-being of the remaining unprocessed animals before their removal.

The man was placed on two-year Good Behaviour Bond and ordered to pay professional and witness costs of $5,000.

Monday, January 20, 2014

A man facing two charges of animal cruelty relating to greyhounds in his care failed to appear in Singleton Local Court last week. He was convicted ex-parte, fined and banned from owning any animals for a period of five years.On Tuesday 29 October 2013, RSPCA NSW Inspectors, a representative from Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) and two Police officers attended a property in Singleton following a complaint about several greyhound dogs.No one was home but nine greyhounds were observed in enclosures at the rear of the property. Seven of the dogs were either thin or emaciated.On Wednesday 30 October 2013, RSPCA NSW Inspectors and GRNSW attended the property again and seized five of the nine greyhounds. They were transported for immediate veterinary attention.All seized Greyhounds were rated by a veterinarian as being emaciated. They all exhibited hookworm burden and two exhibited a significant flea burden which was contributing to their emaciated condition.The owner of the dogs was fined $500 for each offence, banned from owning any animals for a period of five years and custody of all his greyhounds was awarded to RSPCA NSW.

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About us

The RSPCA - The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals - is Australia's pre-eminent animal welfare organisation. We provide a strong voice for animals experiencing cruelty and neglect. The RSPCA is not a government agency and receives only a very small amount of funding from the Government. We rely on the generosity of the community and our own fundraising initiatives to fund our vital work.